Pictorial warnings in cigarettes largely ineffective: Study

Mumbai, Nov 4 : Pictorial warnings on cigarette packs in place since June are 'ineffective and are violative of law', a study stated here today.

The study on the warnings conducted by health research organization Healis, in the metropolis, has stated that the warning labels were poor, and did not cover 40 per cent of the pack as mandated by law. The warnings, mostly in English, were also not comprehended by consumers, negating its intention, but the pictorial warnings did not serve any purpose either as they were deemed confusing and associated very ''unscientifically.'' ''Despite the two-year delay in getting the pictorial warnings implemented, the diluted versions of the warnings actually used compared to samples presented to the Health and Family Welfare, shows the government is not commited to implementing the warnings. The study has proved the point that these warnings are not effective, with the layperson interpreting it in his own way instead of interpreting them for what they signify,'' stated Healis Sekhsaria Institute for public Health, Director, Dr P C Gupta.

The two-month study conducted from July was followed by a field survey to confirm the results of the study, which included confusion over the pictorial warnings, failure to associate tobacco smoking with the health risks and lack of clarity.

--UNI

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